Barry Ferguson has been given the opportunity to take charge at Glasgow Rangers, albeit on an interim basis.
His managerial record, however, leaves much to be desired. In his previous stint at Alloa Athletic, he achieved a win percentage of only 27.3%.
After a win in his first match as interim boss, Ferguson’s win rate at Rangers has now dropped to 50% following a recent home defeat to Motherwell. Two first-half goals from Motherwell left Rangers fans dejected as they fell 16 points behind the league leaders.
Ferguson, who captained Rangers to 15 major trophies and led them to the 2008 UEFA Cup final, knows what it takes to succeed at Ibrox. Alongside his backroom staff of Billy Dodds, Allan McGregor, and Neil McCann, he brings valuable experience to the table.
Meanwhile, Patrick Stewart and the Rangers board will be searching for a permanent replacement for Philippe Clement ahead of the 2025/26 season after the Belgian’s departure. The right appointment could be pivotal for the club’s future, as the Gers must make changes after years of underperformance and Celtic’s dominance.
The new manager will need to assess the squad. While a complete overhaul is unnecessary, several players should be moved on this summer due to underperformance or high wages with limited impact on the pitch.
Here are five players who should be considered for departure when the new manager takes over from Ferguson.
1. James Tavernier
James Tavernier has had an outstanding goalscoring record for a defender, netting 129 goals and providing 140 assists in 500 competitive matches for Rangers. This equates to a goal contribution every 1.8 matches. However, under his captaincy, Rangers have won only one Scottish Premiership title and one League Cup, as well as one Scottish Cup. This season, Tavernier has failed to inspire the team to any silverware, with Rangers eliminated from the Scottish Cup by second-tier Queen’s Park. Earning £30,000 per week, it might be time for Tavernier to depart this summer.
2. Kieran Dowell
Kieran Dowell has made only 32 appearances for Rangers since joining in the summer of 2023 on a free transfer. Although Dowell had experience in the English Premier League with Norwich City and Everton, he has failed to leave a significant mark at Rangers, scoring just twice. He was loaned to Birmingham City in the winter transfer window, where he seems to be finding more success. With a weekly wage of £16,000, Dowell should be sold in the upcoming summer window.
3. Ben Davies
Ben Davies was signed for around £4 million from Liverpool as part of Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s efforts to strengthen the squad after the 2022 Europa League final. However, Davies has struggled, with some critics, including former player Kenny Miller, labeling him “poor” after a mistake in a critical Old Firm match. Currently on loan at Birmingham City, Davies could be sold in the summer, especially if his loan spell continues to impress potential buyers.
4. Rabbi Matondo
Rabbi Matondo is another player sent out on loan by Philippe Clement, joining Hannover 96 in the German second division. While Matondo has shown flashes of brilliance, such as scoring against PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League qualifiers and netting a memorable long-range goal against Celtic, he has lacked consistency at Rangers. After an injury-hit start to the 2024/25 season, his loan move offers him a chance to rebuild his form. With a wage of £23,000 per week, moving him on in the summer could help reduce the club’s wage bill.
5. Robin Propper
Robin Propper, signed by Philippe Clement, has struggled to meet expectations since arriving. Despite over 100 appearances for FC Twente and some solid moments at Rangers, such as scoring against Celtic, Propper has failed to consistently perform at the level required. He has struggled with the physical demands of Scottish football, and his defensive statistics have been disappointing, with just five clean sheets in 23 league games. At 32 years old, Propper may no longer be part of the long-term plans, and the new manager might opt for a younger, more dynamic replacement.
Whatever happens this summer, the next managerial appointment at Rangers is crucial. If the club fails to make the right choice, Celtic could continue to widen the gap both financially and in terms of success.
£23k-p/w waste, Clement’s mistake: 5 players the new Rangers boss must sell
